CO129-010 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843 — Page 754

from the broker of another vessel to the purport that he is going to dispatch her to "the" "Rata Shoal," whence he added that

any Packet with which I might entrust kind would find its way to Amoy

Her Majesty's Government do not appear to be at all aware of the extent of the correspondence, public and private -

that comes to, and leaves the shores of China. I have known one House of Agency send above 500 letters by one of their own Ships from Macao to Bombay, and I speak within bounds when I say that not less than 10,000 letters monthly (one month with another) are despatched and received. To provide for the regular conduct and despatch of so much business very efficient and extensive Establishments will be obviously required and the system can only

be

749

be perfected and brought into effect by very gradual steps.

I have drafted a Notification providing for the transmission of all private letters to Chusan and the Consular Ports as well as for the recovery

of any English or Indian Postage that may be leviable on them. Even this duty is almost more than can be fairly added to those which Mr Shead and the Consuls have already to perform, but as some such arrangement must be made to obviate private letters continuing to lie in the Post Office here, until the Postage on them shall be forthcoming, I am most anxious to consult the feelings and wishes of individuals by the arrangement I propose.

I intend to send a copy of this Memorandum to Her Majesty's Government,